Algae - ready to pack it in...

Thanks have not seen this...

 

This morning I took a syringe of Excel and squirted it directly onto the algae. So will see if that worked later on this week.

 

He he he I hear you...! My biggest worry is for my Madagascar lace plants - they were thriving and now I have already lost one due to the algae.

 

@fhmarais it will work, but only so many times, normally it turns red by the next day. Seems my algae has built up resistance to this treatment, did it earlier this week and now it seems like the algae is even growing better!!

 

Update: Did the two-step blast with peroxide and Excel, Very little effect...

Some of the hair algae has come loose and some of the BBA turned red, but still a huge problem. @ivan kindly visited and gave his learned opinions - a change in ferts (better combination, previously very little phosphates) so will give that a try.

Still leaning towards packing it in and setting up another Tang tank...

 

No man! Don't pack it in! Trust me, when you find the balance, it will just come alive!

The 3 main things to remember are Ferts, Lights and Co2. If you find the balance between all 3, you will not have any algae issues whatsoever.

The main thing is to not have any of those 3 things in shortage. If you have lots of light, and you have lot's of ferts, but little co2, you will get algae. If you have light, lots of co2 and you underdose ferts, you will get algae. So you need to find your systems sweet spot. Once you have found it, it's all smooth sailing from there.

 

common hang in there. where is the fun in that. fight it!! its all part of the hobby and learning curve.

 

@Sean J will give it another try...

 

I will come pick up some killies, and I'll come help you out as well. I'm going to be in that area tomorrow. During the day, will you be available?

 

@Sean J the tank is at my house not my office but you are more than welcome! I am at the office yes, probably only 'till about 10... (dad is visiting...) Killies are at the office...

 

Yip @Ammar you are right, but the thing is I have to weigh up the amount of time spent on +- 50 other tanks as well...

 

eish!! ok thats a different story.. thought this was your only worry.
do you do breeding or is it a serious case of MTS 50 TANKS!! u need rehab
would love to see pics

 

A bit of both... Killie breeding tanks (most), a small Multie tank and the display tank at home. Big tang tank, 300 liter tang tank, killi raising tank and a few containers at work... Will update my fish room thread a a day or so...

 

Update...

10 days ago did the double blast with peroxide and Excel. Had a limited effect on the tank - some hair algae came loos after a few days but most was still there.

So last week I trimmed the heck out of everything that had algae on it, removed all the dragon rock, scrubbed the algae off and put it in a very strong H2O2 solution before returning it to the tank. Cleaned the glass with scourer, cleaned the filter and did a WC.

Current dosing routine is 1ml/10l/week of Tropica, dosage split twice a week. Lights on for 8 hours, Co2 1 bps hour before to hour before.

Algae already coming back it seems: Look at the spot of algae on the front glass a third to the left - obviously not cleaned entirely first time around - was not visible 4 days ago but now very prominent...

 

@francoisve - Did you give the Microbe-lift a go? Excel has not done much on this side either.

Your tank still looks stunning!

 

Thanks @Dinky nope have not given it a try. I am following @ivan 's recommendations for now...

 

1bps of Co2? Increase it. Go to 3bps. It should not harm the fish. Just monitor the tank when you increase the co2. From the looks of things, you've got enough light, you're dosing enough ferts, but there's very little co2 in the tank. Get yourself a drop checker so you can monitor the levels of Co2 in the aquarium.

 

Thanks @Sean J will increase gradually over a week? I have lost faith in the drop checker I have - don't think it works.... What is the best one?

 

It's not the drop checker, it's the solution that goes into it. I'll obviously punt ADA, as it's the best. Don't increase gradually over a week, double it immediately, and then after 2 days, increase it to 3bps and then after a week, increase to 4bps. That should do the trick.